Subject: Edward Cullen aka the Womanizer
Chapter Thirty-Eight – Tools of the Trade
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot of the Twilight Saga are the property of its author. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media. Copyright infringement is not intended.
Betaed by bookishqua/bookgalore
Bella
I sat back, resting my head. The luxurious leather seat of the limo smelled wonderful. I'd been home for over two weeks, wooed, dined, pampered, and I was ready to scream. Edward hadn't proposed. I was this close to pulling a Monica and asking him myself. Yet, I knew I couldn't go that route, since he had made it clear that he needed to do it right.
Maybe he put off proposing because so much had happened since my return home. After the incident with Angela, it had been a constant blur of appointments, lawyers, and interviews with a dedicated detective. Angela was getting the help she needed.
With my recent epiphany concerning my past, we hardly had much time to ourselves. However, I really wanted to be married before the twins were born, but how could I bring that up without ruining his plans?
The limo driver cleared his throat to get my attention. "Where to, Ms. Swan?"
I smiled, happy that it was finally time to return home. Edward and I had spent the previous night, for the first time, at our new home. As we left the salon's parking lot, I murmured the address to the driver. Music filled the car as we moved into traffic.
Sipping slowly on some sparkling water, I remembered how I ended up in the limo.
"Why are we up so early again?" I asked. Holding him this way, at six-and-a-half months pregnant proved challenging.
"Well," he started, smiling down at me. "I thought I could start putting the cribs together." I smiled and nodded happily. The furniture for the twins' room had arrived the previous afternoon. There was still so many things to do, moving was a bitch. "While you go out and just relax."
I pouted but it didn't work this time. He only smiled and kissed me briefly. "You said you wanted a haircut and a facial."
"I do," I replied. "But I also want to help put the furniture together."
"No," he said firmly. "You won't be able to resist lifting and helping in some way. I don't need to be worrying about you while I'm working."
I sighed and rolled my eyes. "The doctor said everything is fine."
"Yes, I know," he said, grinning wickedly. "That would explain why we can't keep our hands off each other." I laughed as his hands reached around me to give my ass a playful squeeze. "But let's not have you hurting your back by picking up things too heavy for you."
"You're right," I said softly. "I wouldn't mind a hair cut anyway."
His eyes widened a bit. "You're not cutting too much, right?"
This time it was my turn to grin wickedly. "Wouldn't dream of it, considering how much you like to pull it."
His answering groan had been the reaction I had expected, and one I used to my advantage. After ninety minutes of playing in bed together, a sleek black limo pulled up in front of the house to whisk me away. I'd been thankful that he was thoughtful enough to know that I needed some space and time to myself. If Alice or Rosalie had been in the limo, I would've walked right back into the house.
With Edward's half, my family had grown, and I loved them. Once I returned from tour, family members had been visiting at all hours of the day it seemed. All of them concerned with my health. My blood pressure had been a little high the last time I'd been to see my obstetrician. Which of course had the family treat me like spun glass, it fucking annoyed me. I let it slide since I had to think of our babies' health, not just my own.
It was hardly fair though, considering that Alice was just as pregnant as I was, with my soon-to-be-nephew Logan Kal-el Whitlock. Jasper was a huge Superman fan. She pulled off pregnancy with ease, the lucky bitch. It was a good thing that Jasper had a black belt, poor kid was going to need a teacher and a bodyguard with a name like that.
Rosalie, however, operated in a class all on her own. She'd been irritable and ready to bite anyone's head off the moment someone tried to talk to her. Then she'd do a complete one-eighty and be all sweet and tender at the drop of a hat. Her hormones were all over the place, poor woman, poor us.
All of those were reasons I needed to get away for a bit. Edward knew me so well and anticipated my needs, and seeing that warmed my heart. Edward. He'd been my rock since I allowed myself the chance to mourn and come to terms with my past. He held me when I needed it, and stepped back when necessary. I had to admit the dynamic in our relationship had shifted. Though there were times in the past that one had more control than the other did, now we treated each other as equals.
The limo pulled up to the driveway and I cursed the light drizzle that started to fall. As of late, wet walkways had been treacherous. I had fallen the day we had moved in our first things, and Edward had put his foot down on me lifting another thing. I let it go since he kissed my knee, among other things, to make me feel better. His methods of distraction made me forget why I'd been upset. I loved him for it.
Before the limo came to a full stop, Edward was out the front door to offer his assistance. His smile was sweet, my own disappearing as I took in his appearance. Green plaid shirt, a fitted white tee, worn jeans, work boots and a tool belt that hung low on his hips. I had never seen him in the particular outfit before. I suddenly wondered how long it would take me to take everything off, except for the tool belt.
If my man had one of those notorious plumber's crack from the heavy tools, it was only fair to save him the embarrassment and have him go naked. Again, with only the tool belt still hanging low on his hips. The knowing smirk that graced his cocky face had me snapping my mouth shut. The smirky ass knew what he was doing to me.
"Hey, baby," he said as he offered his hand to help me out of the limo. He popped open an umbrella and smiled. "I wouldn't want you to get wet." I cocked an eyebrow at him and he only smiled wider. He bent down to whisper in my ear, "Then again, you probably already are."
I patted his head and shook my own. "If your ego gets any bigger, you won't be able to fit under the umbrella."
He grinned. "It's not my ego that's getting bigger." I snorted as he pulled me close to his side. "I love your hair." Fingers ran soothingly through smooth strands. "You look beautiful." He kissed the tip of my nose and turned his attention to my limo driver to retrieve my bags.
"Thank you," I said. "So what have you been up to?"
"I finished the cribs and changing tables. I still need to hang the curtains in the nursery and your painting in our bedroom."
I bit my lips, purposefully. "May I help?" He immediately shook his head, leading into the mudroom to deposit my things. After tipping my driver, he turned back to me. Before he could protest further, I stopped him. "Let me rephrase. May I supervise?" I hoped he would be willing to play along.
It took a second, but comprehension soon had him smirking. "I'm just a tool. A big, hard tool to you."
"I like using big, hard working tools," I cooed, stroking my hand over his erection discreetly. He growled and pressed his lips on mine in a searing kiss. With a sigh, his lips continued along my neck, his hands finding purchase on my hips. "But first," I said, causing him to groan. "Can I see the room?"
With what seemed like great struggle, he released me long enough to take my hand. His eyes, dark with desire, were on my chest as he jaw twitched. "Fine, but even though I know my technique needs no improvement, I'd love some more hands on experience."
I grinned, loving him for being so corny. "Sure," I said, cocking an eyebrow. "I'll be glad to see how you hang." His head fell back as he laughed, warming my heart. I loved seeing him so carefree again.
After what happened with Angela, Edward had decided to talk to his therapist and discovered much more than he anticipated. At the time, he claimed that he hadn't been bothered by what Angela had done to him only what it would do to me. However, after diving a little more deeply into his past, he compared the incident to many of his previous encounters with women.
More often than not, it was the women that came to him. Most in the same manner than Angela had done. The first time a woman had approached him so brazenly he ran away, he'd only been nineteen, the woman at least ten years his senior. Each subsequent time after the first, he got used to the attention. At the time he found it no big deal, and even found their attention flattering. After that session, he came to realization that they treated him in much the same way he had after he got what he wanted. In the end, being touched without provocation or permission, made him feel cheap.
When he confessed this to me, he made light of the situation and said that he didn't want me to claw someone's eyes out. Since then though, he avoided groups of women or being alone at every function. Though he was still his confident self, he made it clear to others that his cockiness didn't mean they could touch. Why would I argue?
"Let's go see the nursery," he said, brushing his fingertips lightly over my arm. With my fingers in his, our linked hands hovered over his growing erection. He let go, wanting me to make a choice. The ass wanted to play hard to get it seemed. I nodded and accidentally grazed his crotch as I turned away, his response a slow hiss. Lips pressed against my ear as he led me upstairs. "Tease."
"I plan on inspecting all aspects of your work. I needed to check if you were ready for what's coming." His boyish grin lifted his lips at each corner, reaching his handsome eyes.
"How did I get so lucky to find someone as dirty as me?" he asked, seriously.
I laughed and jabbed him with my elbow. "Dirty? I'll have to fine you if there are hazards on the job site. Safety is very important, Mr. Cullen."
"Ah, I see," he said, opening the double doors that led to the nursery.
I sighed as the scent of baby detergent and lilies greeted me. Upon entering the room, a person's eyes were immediately drawn to the picturesque window across from the entry doors. In its current state, it looked out into our expansive backyard. However, it brought in too much early morning light, so Edward and I had decided to outfit it with custom curtains and valance.
On the right side of the room, one of the handsome dark wood cribs stood in front of a rounded niche in the wall. I smiled and ran my fingers over the fine, smooth finish. Tears sprung in my eyes, Edward had even put the bedding together.
Strong hands brushed over my shoulders, his breath fanning across my neck. "Do you like them?"
"They're beautiful, Edward," I whispered, fingering the delicate embroidered flowers on our daughter's quilt. We picked the theme of an enchanted forest for the room. The dark wood of our girls' cribs contrasted nicely against the pale blue and green on the walls. Each crib stood on opposite walls, both with similar niches. One had the depiction of a great forest tree beside a waterfall, harboring all sorts of creatures – real and magical. The other was a meadow and through the trees a castle could be seen in the distance. The cribs looked like little sleds, the bedding like clouds of white, green and pink. Above each one was a round canopy with sweet little fairy mobiles.
Esme had banners fit for a princess with the girls' initials that hung near their cribs. MGC for Madison Grace Cullen and HEC for Hayley Elizabeth Cullen, one in pink the other in a pale purple. I loved it all.
"I love this room," I whispered. Edward hummed his agreement and went to the window. I watched as he bent to grab a cordless drill and the curtain hardware. All thoughts of the room left me. Fuck, he was a beautiful man, one that loved me as I loved him.
I was so preoccupied with checking out his ass, that I hadn't realized he was saying something.
"Earth to Bella," he said, smugly. Damn, I got caught ogling.
"Yes," I said innocently.
"Is it straight?" he asked, amusement lighting up his eyes.
I tilted my head to the side and looked at the curtain rod then his crotch. "No it hangs to the right."
"Ha, ha," He rolled his eyes and asked for me to hand him a laser level. "And it's to the left, babe."
I batted my lashes as I handed him the level. "I was talking about the curtain rod, Edward. Get your mind out of the gutter."
"It's perpetually in the gutter with you around," he said firmly. "So it's entirely your fault that I think with my dick ninety-percent of the day."
"Only ninety," I teased. He raised an eyebrow. "I have a very active imagination, and I can a multi-task. I think about your dick at least ninety-six percent of the day."
He groaned as he hopped off the short ladder and pulled me in his arms. "Are you saying that you have a problem?" I grinned. "We should probably discuss this with our therapist."
I shook my head and laughed. "I don't know, Edward. With the girls coming, you may want to take advantage." This time he smiled widely.
"I plan to," he said and pressed a kiss on my lips. "After I'm done." I pouted, he laughed. Asshole.
"I think you're the one nesting," I said grumpily.
I took a few steps back, and sat in one of the rocking chairs. Thank God we bought two chairs; if the girls woke at the same time, we both could rock them. Edward would be right beside me to help. Not that I doubted it for a second.
I watched as he stepped back onto the ladder, drilling the necessary holes and making the adjustments needed to accommodate the length of the curtains. He pulled up the sleeves of his shirts to his elbow, stretching from time to time. His legs and thighs looked strong in his jeans, which seemed a little more fitted than usual. He had gone back to working out, which he recently restarted again.
It was showing. His muscles were more defined than when I first met him. He tried yoga like I was doing during my pregnancy, but he gave up when he couldn't be in the same room with me bending over all the time. My instructor, a handsome man named Cameron, hadn't helped since he had his eyes set on Edward.
"I can feel you staring," he said, as he set his drill down. He turned and smiled. I shrugged. "I need your help for the next part." I nodded and rose to my feet. He helped me up the four ladder rungs. "I don't really like this idea. The curtains can wait."
I pushed him back and told him to stop being an ass. He grabbed the curtain rod and we hung them, once done he was beside me in seconds. Helping me down the ladder, I swear the man finds any excuse to touch me.
"Edward," I said firmly. "You don't have to baby me so much."
"I can't help it," he grumbled. "Please just let me take care of you." I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"All right," I whispered. "Just remember this applies to after the girls are born, too."
He kissed me softly, palming my ass, as usual. "Of course it applies then and the next sixty or seventy years." I smiled against his lips. "Go take your shower, I'll finish up here and start in the bedroom by the time you're done."
Once I was done, I walked into our bedroom. I almost fainted. Oh my God. I'd died and gone to heaven. I was positive that my heart stopped.
"Oh my," I gasped, my hand on my chest.
"Did you say something, dear?" he asked with his back to me.
Well much more than his back, his thighs, the back of his knees, his ass, were all on display for my eyes to devour. Edward was on a ladder, hanging my painting, in nothing but a tool belt that sat low on his hips.
Holy shit. I pinched myself. "Ow."
I could hear him trying to maintain his composure and not laugh at me. I shook my head to clear up some of the fog that formed in my head. All the blood had already rushed to various parts of my body. Arousal had me at a standstill. Wow. I couldn't stop looking, worse I couldn't decide where my eyes should linger. God, he was gorgeous.
With the unruly heat and sun, Edward skin was more golden than pale. He'd been working with Jasper in the backyard, most of the time shirtless. I should know. I spent most of the time watching from the porch out back.
"Is it straight, baby?" he asked, trying to look back as he held up the frame.
There was two ways I could play this, ask him to turn around so I could check if he was straight up. Or I could torture him a little. Both would end with promising results. I loved when he lost control. I looked toward the bed and noticed that the clothes I had laid out were no longer on it.
He was a naughty one. Torture it was.
I stood a few feet behind him and I could see the goose bumps and the hair on the back of his neck raise. It was something that always happened when I was near him. He was as aware of me as I was of him. His back muscles moved with every heavy breath he took. It was obvious that he was as aroused as I was.
"Move your right down about an inch," I said as my fingers brushed over the backs of his knees. Just my fingertips and it was enough for his breath to hitch, for his body to still. I stepped back again, cocking my head to the right and then to the left. I knew he could see my reflection in one of the mirrored sconces near the painting.
I dropped my towel and ran the tips of my fingers along my throat. "Fuck," he hissed, his shoulders moved up and down as he breathed.
"It's not in the middle," I said breathlessly. "Move it to your left."
"Damn," he mumbled, trying to do as I said. I knew by his verbal vomit of curses that he his resolve was crumbling. My fingers moved over the curve of my breast, circling the peak. "Fuck. Fuck. Damn witch!"
He jumped off the ladder and stalked toward me, stopping a few inches from my reach. I shook my head and continued tracing my nipple. "Something wrong?" I asked sweetly. He growled, watching as my fingers made a path to my other breast.
From the very beginning Edward had been an ass man. Lately, however, he couldn't seem to keep his hands, mouth, teeth and much more off my breasts. The extra sensitivity luckily hadn't bothered me; it only made his ministrations more pleasurable. I hadn't thought it possible.
"Nothing," he groaned. His chest rose and fell harshly; his fists were clenched at his sides. There was a war going on inside his head. A part of him wanted to watch me touch myself, the other to be the one doing the touching.
I looked him over, my eyes drawn to the dark hair that paved the way to my favorite body part of his, besides his heart, of course. A thick dark leather belt hung just below his navel, one pouch on the right carried some hardware and the hammer hung from a loop beneath it. The pouch on the left had a measuring tape and his cell phone. Just below the buckle was his cock. Hard and straight up.
Fuck. I wanted him, so I knew I had to get him to come to me. Fast. I rolled my nipple between my fingers, moaning at the pleasant sensation. He groaned, his eyes glued to my hand. Beads of sweat popped up along his brow, his fingers clenched and unclenched.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked. He shook his head, unable to answer. "Are you thinking about last week?" His breathing came to a halt as he closed his eyes to the memories. "You know the night you fucked my ti—"
The next thing I knew I was on the bed, my legs spread wide, with him between them. He hovered over me, whispered words ghosted over my flushed skin. On my collarbone, the hallow of my throat and finally over a tender tip of my breast. I arched closer, needing more. His hands were everywhere, the undersides of my breasts, over my hips and curling around my ass. He was trying to control himself; he'd been especially gentle lately. I wanted him to let go for once. He wouldn't hurt me, he couldn't.
My fingers curled in his hair, tugging his ear to my lips. "Fuck me," I growled. He groaned, took hold of each of my knees as he stood up by the foot of our bed. Hitching each leg over his hips, he thrust hard, fast and deep in one stroke.
"Fuck," he hissed, stilling deep inside me. "Damn it, Bella. You love to drive me crazy." I moaned, arching, trying to get him to move. Propping myself up on my elbows, my eyes on him. He stood at the foot at the bed, my ass at the very edge of the mattress. Retrain and control was in every muscle that twitched in his jaw and every cord of his neck.
When I sensed his body relax I knew he'd regained a semblance of control he wanted while we were together this way. We'd become very active once the doctor had given us the go ahead, and though we had a few heated encounters, he'd been careful to be extra loving, tender and gentle. I hadn't minded at the time, seeing him dressed in such a way, a fantasy come to life I had to have all of him.
"Thank you for fulfilling another fantasy," I said breathlessly. "I've always wanted a big, strapping man to show me the tools of the trade." He groaned and lifted my thighs higher over his hips and finally pounded away. Fevered need and desire was uttered in every thrust and accompanied grunt from Edward.
His fingers dug into my thighs, his own slapped against my backside with every movement of his body. I cried out when he hit just the right spot. His eyes met mine in a hungry gaze, and then fell on my chest. His tongue moved over his bottom lip, watching every breath I took.
Internally I smiled, he wanted me to touch myself as I had earlier. His eyes moved to my hand as I placed my fingertip in my mouth. Sucking softly, wetting it. His chest rose and fell, heavy and fast in a beautiful display of hunger and power.
"Tease," he groaned ever watchful. Fingertip grazed, teased and circled my peak until it pebbled further. "Fuck." Hiss and grunt, he moved harder and deeper. I cried out, my head falling back, my body trembling. "More." Faster and frantic he delivered thrust after thrust. I moaned and slipped my hand over my hip to between my thighs.
Edward groaned in approval, the predatory gleam in his eyes darkened as my fingers circled and rubbed. In seconds, I exploded and arched. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through me. Several erratic, frantic thrusts, a groan of my name, and Edward came inside me.
Still in a euphoric state of mind, I felt his fingers move over my thighs, and more of his sweet words were whispered against my skin. I hoped he wouldn't regret what we had done.
"Next time," he said, pushing me further up the bed. "Remind me to take off the tool belt." I giggled and pressed my lips to his neck. "I've got leather burn." I felt the brush of the hammer against my thigh as he removed the tool belt and tossed it on the floor. I sighed, thinking of another fantasy he had.
"What is it?" he asked, his fingers running through my hair. I gave him a smile, one that had him cocking an eyebrow in question. When I whispered to him my idea, his fingers curled around my hip tightly. "You'd let me?" I nodded. "When?"
"Our honeymoon."
"We won't be able…" he groaned. He got the message.
~oOo~
Four days later, we were in Esme's backyard. "You can't be serious?" I said, looking at Rosalie.
"Yes," she huffed as she tossed her hair back. "They actually had the nerve to throw one for us together."
"Idiots," Alice hissed. She her purse on the table and wiped at a tear. I sighed. All right, Edward had an excuse; he didn't know any better. But, Jasper and Emmett had known these women for years. How could they think throwing a baby shower for all three of us, at the same time was a good idea?
They must've thought, kill three birds with one stone. Alice and Rosalie had to be thinking the same thing. However, they intended to use a really big stone.
Surrounded by dozens of tittering women, and only a handful that I knew personally, Alice, Rosalie and I sat as the center of attention. I fucking wanted to claw someone's eyes out for putting me in this awkward position. I recognized the loathsome glare from a few of the women. While many were gathered around the buffet table, I sat down at a white round table with a small plate before me.
The decorations were adorable, each table adorned with a centerpiece that the guys had made themselves. They had their hearts in the right place, but Alice and Rosalie were miserable. Me…I didn't give a shit. I didn't know enough people in Seattle, especially women.
Fuck, what does that say about me? Besides family, there weren't many people I could call my friends. Well besides former subjects and their families. Fuck, that shit plagued my mind as of late. And it was definitely something I'd bring up in my next session.
"You look lost," a smooth voice said at my ear. I smiled as his arms wrapped around me, lifting me up with ease to settle himself on my chair. "They're going to get it aren't they?"
I looked to see the serious look on his face, but there was amusement in his eyes. "You weren't a part of this?"
Edward shook his head and chuckled. "I'd been too busy, you know that. They tried to recruit me, but I didn't have time. I think they only included you because they didn't want you to feel left out."
"A woman's first baby shower is very similar in importance to her wedding," I said. He laughed again and agreed. "They'll be fine, I think. Jasper and Emmett were sweet to do a lot of the decorating themselves."
He picked up a strawberry and held it to my lips. "I told them it wasn't a good idea, so I decided to join you and do some damage control." I smiled, nibbling on the sweet, red flesh. The apprehension in his eyes gave him away.
"How many?"
With a sigh, he looked toward the gaggle of women. "A few." He shook his head. "That I remember."
"I can't deal with that shit today," I said firmly. "I can't compare-" His lips met mine in a possessive, heated kiss.
"Don't fucking do that shit, Bella." His eyes were dark, his breaths ragged. "They are nothing to me. Have I given you any reason to believe that I don't want you? Even in your third trimester?"
I shook my head, biting lip. Tears sprung in my eyes and his eyes softened. "That bitch at the company party yesterday put ideas in your head that I won't want you after the girls are born. How could you let that shit bother you? You know I want you, Lacey only wanted to put a wedge between us so she could put another move on me. I told her no several times, even before you came along."
I nodded again, hating that hormones made me self-conscious again. It was something I dealt with as a teenager when I thought no asked me out because I wasn't pretty enough. Instead it was only because of one overprotective brother and friend scared them off.
"Thank you," I whispered, scratching at the light scruff that covered his jaw. "I love you." Taking my face in his hands, he returned the words in a kiss that clearly made everyone near know with whom his heart lay.
We were gathered around a large table, everyone sitting in comfy chairs, playing a baby shower game. Rosalie looked like she wanted to choke her husband. The game, have everyone guess what our current waistlines were.
Someone had handed Emmett the string, he grabbed the end and started to unwind it. And he kept going and going. Rosalie was fuming. Alice was trying not to laugh. Me, I decided to have my finger the 9-1-1 button on my cell phone. When Heidi cut where he indicated, there was at least a full yard worth of string.
Rosalie smiled sweetly, laughing along with everyone else. Personally, I thought Emmett would pay dearly the minute they got home. When it was Jasper's turn, he guessed exactly right. Lucky bastard. When it was Edward's turn, he got up and measured his own waist and took off a few inches. It was totally wrong, but it was sweet of him.
When no one was looking, I took that string and measured the span from the tip of his forefinger to his thumb, then added about an inch. Then I held it up close to his thigh, he got the idea. My man was adorable when he blushed. I was spot on, too.
The guys began the task of setting up the area for us to open presents. I darted inside the house to use the bathroom for what seemed like the tenth time that day. When I finished, I walked toward the kitchen to grab a bottle of cranberry juice. However, when I heard a woman say Edward's name, I paused to overhear.
"He's looking better than ever," a woman said.
"Yes, do you see how he dotes on his sister?" another whispered. "Or his wife?"
Some bitch snickered. "She's not his wife now, and my guess she'll never be." I heard several who agreed, others who didn't. The same woman continued. "Think about it Lisa, the woman is pregnant with his children and there is still no ring on her finger."
"Maybe they're waiting until they're born," someone suggested. "You're just pissed that you never had a chance to sink your claws in him."
"Oh honey," the bitch replied. "You and I both know that a ring on his finger won't mean a thing. It never bothered him before."
"Well," another woman started. "I know what I see. And what I see a man completely devoted and in love."
"If and I mean if they do get married, they won't last more than a few years. And it'll be because he cheated on her." I was about to step out and give that whore a piece of my mind, even though I knew it would make things worse.
"Ladies," I heard Esme join them. "They're about to open gifts. Why don't we go back outside?"
They all agreed and soon their voices disappeared. Esme turned the corner where I waited to calm myself down. "How long were you there listening?"
I shook my head and shrugged. "Long enough."
"There are some people that see what I see. That boy loves you truly, Bella. But there are those that are petty people, who are jealous that he found love."
"I wanted to say something," I whispered, wiping at a traitorous tear. "It would've added more fuel to that woman's vitriol." Esme nodded and took me in her arms. "He loves me, I don't doubt that. A part of me never did."
"I know that past couple of months have been hard on you," she murmured, stroking my hair. The warmth and comfort she offered me, made the ache in my heart lessen. I hadn't felt the love of mother in so long. "I've never met a woman as strong as you."
"Not lately."
She laughed and pulled away. "Tears don't make you weak," she said softly. "It's just nature's way to get the sad and mad out." Once I pulled myself together, she led me back to the party before Edward sent out a search party for me.
The moment I stepped into the backyard, Edward appeared beside me in a few seconds. "Are you all right?" I nodded and wrapped my arm around his waist. "If it's too much we can go."
"I'm fine," I said and walked toward the small group.
He scowled. "That answer basically means, not really but let's talk about it later."
With a smile, I pressed my lips against his. "Let's talk later." He could see in my eyes that I wouldn't budge, so he nodded.
I received enough clothes for the girls, that they'd each be able to wear a different outfit every day for at least six months. At least. Insanity. Thankfully, Edward took in stride all the "oohing" and "awing" as he held up each little outfit either against his chest or cheek to check the softness. He was being really good, considering all the estrogen thrown his way.
Edward handed me a white, plainly wrapped box, with no tag. I held it up for inspection, when no one claimed it, I opened it to find a book, Single Parenting. I felt Edward's hand clamp on the chair behind me.
On the outside, I laughed and shook my head. "Someone here must think Edward is going to leave me to tend to the children while he slaves away at the office." I laughed again as my insides churned with anger. I placed the book back in the box and put it aside. Without waiting for Edward, I picked out another gift. This time a cute little box in a zebra print wrapping. Fuck, I couldn't believe I was scared to open a gift.
How long would this shit last? We'd been together for over eight months, and yet they still come after me.
Several of the women, including Nessie who had arrived late, exhaled loudly when I showed them two beautiful silver hair brushes. Each engraved with our daughters' initials. I smiled and thanked Barbara, a coworker at Cullen & Cullen Inc.
The next gift however, a How-To book about losing weight after pregnancy, had me clutching my tummy. I had gained twenty-four pounds, which I'd been told was perfectly normal since I carried twins. Everyone told me that I looked the same, only that I seemed to be carrying a basketball under my shirt.
I felt the anger radiate from Edward's fingers as he took my face in his hands. Soft lips pressed against my forehead, when I felt him move to the table behind me. Everyone watched in silence as Edward shifted through all the gifts. Jasper and Emmett helped him, until they found another box without a tag.
No one dared to claim it, as Edward held it up to ask who brought it. Without a reply he tore it open to find an Online Dating for Dummies book, along with membership for a year on Match (dot) com.
Edward looked in the eye of every face, anger charged through and filled the air with tension. His jaw clenched tight, his nostrils flared and his hands shook. Taking the books, he walked over the nearest trash can and dumped them. Under his breath, a slew of curse words left him as he took my hand. I prayed internally that he wouldn't fucking ask me to marry him right then and there only because he wanted to prove a point in front of the women who'd done this.
I couldn't meet anyone eyes, only those of my friends. Nessie, Rosalie, Alice and Heidi seemed to be on the verge of tearing everyone in the vicinity apart. Esme on the other hand, looked straight into the eyes of a platinum blonde who squirmed under her hardened glare.
His hand tugged on mine, until I stood up before him. With a sweeping motion under my knees and a huge smile, he lifted me into his arms.
"Come on, baby," he said lowly. "I think there's a few rooms we still need to christen in our new house." Long strides carried us toward the exit in a few moments.
Laughing, I took his earlobe in my mouth and tugged. "Animal," I said huskily.
"Only with you," he growled and quickened his pace.
A few gasps, a chuckle or two later, I looked over his shoulder to see a few shocked faces. "Thanks everyone," I said brightly. "Let's do lunch soon." Edward snorted.
Damn, I loved this man.
AN: Sorry this got away from me, but that means an extra chapter. All right, back to the grindstone with me Toolbeltward is calling ;)